Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Datolite

Big Photo

Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk), Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia
© 2001 John H. Betts

Show Datolite Photos (115)
Formula:
CaB[OH|SiO
 
4
]
System:MonoclinicColour:White, greyish, pale ...
Lustre:Vitreous, ResinousHardness:5 - 5½
Name:From the Greek for to divide in reference to granular textute of massive varieties.


Gadolinite-Datolite Group. (See also Anchi-Zeolite)

Classification of Datolite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.29-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AJ.20

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
Dana 8th edition ID:54.2.1a.1

54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.5.10

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1340.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Datolite

Type Locality:Arendal, Aust-Agder, Norway
Year of Discovery:1806

Occurrences of Datolite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in mafic igneous rocks. Geodes in tuff, limestone skarns, serpentinites, schists, ore veins.

Physical Properties of Datolite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:White, greyish, pale green, red, yellow, etc.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.96 - 3 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3 g/cm3

Crystallography of Datolite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b (P1 1 21/b) [P21/c] {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 9.62Å, b = 7.6Å, c = 4.84Å
β = 90.15°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.266 : 1 : 0.637
Unit Cell Volume:V 353.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Short prismatic, botyroidal, granular to compact, cryptocrystalline.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Datolite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.626 nβ = 1.653 - 1.654 nγ = 1.670
2V:Measured: 74° , Calculated: 72° to 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.044

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:weak r > v

Chemical Properties of Datolite

Formula:
CaB[OH|SiO
 
4
]
Essential elements:B, Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, H, O, Si
Common Impurities:Mn,Mg,Al,Fe

Relationship of Datolite to other Species

Related to:
  • Gadolinite-Datolite Group
    • Common Associates:
    CalcitePrehniteZeolite GroupDanburiteAxinite
    Garnet Group
    Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    9.AJ.05Grandidierite
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[O
     
    2
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    9.AJ.05Ominelite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[O
     
    2
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    9.AJ.10Dumortierite
    (Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    7
    		[O
     
    3
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    9.AJ.10Holtite
    (Ta,Sb)Al
     
    6
    		[O
     
    3
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    9.AJ.10Magnesiodumortierite
    (Mg,Ti,[](Al,Mg)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    4
    		Si
     
    3
    		O
     
    18-y
    		(OH)
     
    y
    		B y = 2-3
    9.AJ.15Garrelsite
    Ba
     
    3
    		NaSi
     
    2
    		B
     
    7
    		O
     
    16
    		(OH)
     
    4
    9.AJ.20Bakerite
    Ca
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    4
    		|HBO
     
    4
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Ce)
    (Ce,La,Nd,Y)
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		Be
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Y)
    Y
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		Be
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Ce)
    Ce
     
    2
    		□Be
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    8
    		(OH)
     
    2
    9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Y)
    (Y,Yb,Er)Be[OH|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Yb)
    (Yb,Y)Be[OH|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    9.AJ.20Homilite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)B
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    9.AJ.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
    (Ce,Ca)
     
    5
    		(Si,B)
     
    3
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH,F)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    9.AJ.20Minasgeraisite-(Y)
    Y
     
    2
    		CaBe
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    9.AJ.20Calcybeborosilite-(Y)
    (Y,Ca)
     
    2
    		(B,Be)
     
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		(OH,O)
     
    2
    9.AJ.25Stillwellite-(Ce)
    (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
     
    5
    9.AJ.30Cappelenite-(Y)
    Ba(Y,Ce)
     
    6
    		Si
     
    3
    		B
     
    6
    		O
     
    24
    		F
     
    2
    9.AJ.35Okanoganite-(Y)
    (Na,Ca)
     
    3
    		(Y,Ce)
     
    12
    		Si
     
    6
    		B
     
    2
    		O
     
    27
    		F
     
    14
    9.AJ.35Vicanite-(Ce)
    (Ca,Ce,La,Th)
     
    15
    		As
    5+
     
    		(As
    3+
    0.5
    		,Na
     
    0.5
    		)Fe
    3+
     
    		Si
     
    6
    		B
     
    4
    		O
     
    40
    		F
     
    7
    9.AJ.35Hundholmenite-(Y)
    (Y,REE,Ca,Na)
     
    15
    		(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)(Ca
     
    x
    		As
    3+
    1-x
    		)(Si,As
    5+
     
    		)Si
     
    6
    		B
     
    3
    		(O,F)
     
    48
    9.AJ.40Jadarite
    LiNaSiB
     
    3
    		O
     
    7
    		(OH)
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    17.5.1Manandonite
    LiAl
     
    4
    		Si
     
    3
    		BO
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    6
    17.5.2Reedmergnerite
    Na[BSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    17.5.3Searlesite
    NaBSi
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    2
    17.5.4Olenite
    ([ ],Na)[(Al,Li)
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(O,OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.5Elbaite
    [Na][(Li,Al)
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.6Kalborsite
    K
     
    6
    		[Cl|B(OH)
     
    4
    		|Al
     
    4
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    20
    		]
    17.5.7Boromuscovite
    KAl
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|BSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    		]
    17.5.8Poudretteite
    KNa
     
    2
    		B
     
    3
    		Si
     
    12
    		O
     
    30
    17.5.9Liddicoatite
    [Ca][Li
     
    2
    		Al][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|F|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.11Danburite
    Ca[BSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    17.5.12Howlite
    Ca
     
    2
    		B
     
    5
    		SiO
     
    9
    		(OH)
     
    5
    17.5.13Bakerite
    Ca
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    4
    		|HBO
     
    4
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    17.5.14Oyelite
    Ca
     
    10
    		Si
     
    8
    		B
     
    2
    		O
     
    29
    		·12.5H
     
    2
    		O
    17.5.15Kornerupine
    Mg
     
    3
    		Al
     
    6
    		(Si,Al,B)
     
    5
    		O
     
    21
    		(OH)
    17.5.16Harkerite
    Ca
     
    24
    		Mg
     
    8
    		Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		(O,OH)
     
    32
    		(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    8
    		(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    8
    		(H
     
    2
    		O,Cl)
    17.5.17Serendibite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    2
    		(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[O
     
    2
    		|(Si,Al,B)
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.18Stillwellite-(Ce)
    (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
     
    5
    17.5.19Tadzhikite-(Ce)
    (Ca,Ce)
     
    4
    		(Ca,Y)
     
    2
    		(Ti
    4+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		,Al)[B
     
    4
    		Si
     
    4
    		O
     
    22
    		(O,OH)
     
    6
    		](OH)
     
    2
    17.5.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
    (Ce,Ca)
     
    5
    		(Si,B)
     
    3
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH,F)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    17.5.21Okanoganite-(Y)
    (Na,Ca)
     
    3
    		(Y,Ce)
     
    12
    		Si
     
    6
    		B
     
    2
    		O
     
    27
    		F
     
    14
    17.5.22Tritomite-(Ce)
    (Ce,La,Y,Th)
     
    5
    		(Si,B)
     
    3
    		(O,OH,F)
     
    13
    17.5.23Tritomite-(Y)
    (Y,Ca,La,Fe)
     
    5
    		(Si,B,Al)
     
    3
    		(O,OH,F)
     
    13
    17.5.24Cappelenite-(Y)
    Ba(Y,Ce)
     
    6
    		Si
     
    3
    		B
     
    6
    		O
     
    24
    		F
     
    2
    17.5.25Dumortierite
    (Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    7
    		[O
     
    3
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    17.5.26Holtite
    (Ta,Sb)Al
     
    6
    		[O
     
    3
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    17.5.27Dravite
    [Na][Mg
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.28 Ferridravite
    17.5.29Axinite-(Mg)
    Ca
     
    2
    		MgAl
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.30Uvite
    [Ca][(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		][MgAl
     
    5
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.31Garrelsite
    Ba
     
    3
    		NaSi
     
    2
    		B
     
    7
    		O
     
    16
    		(OH)
     
    4
    17.5.32Tienshanite
    Na
     
    2
    		BaMnTiB
     
    2
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    20
    17.5.33Leucosphenite
    BaNa
     
    4
    		Ti
     
    2
    		B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    10
    		O
     
    30
    17.5.34Taramellite
    Ba
     
    4
    		(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Ti,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    4
    		(B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    27
    		)O
     
    2
    		Cl
     
    x
    17.5.35Titantaramellite
    Ba
     
    4
    		(Ti,Fe
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    4
    		(B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    27
    		)O
     
    2
    		Cl
     
    x
    17.5.36Nagashimalite
    Ba
     
    4
    		(V,Ti)
     
    4
    		B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    27
    		(O,OH)
     
    2
    		Cl
    17.5.37Chromdravite
    [Na][Mg
     
    3
    		][(Cr
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.38Wawayandaite
    Ca
     
    6
    		Mn
     
    2
    		BBe
     
    9
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    23
    		(OH,Cl)
     
    15
    17.5.39Werdingite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    14
    		Si
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		O
     
    37
    17.5.40Axinite-(Mn)
    Ca
     
    2
    		Mn
    2+
     
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.41Axinite
    (Ca,Fe,Mn)Al
     
    2
    		BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		OH
    17.5.42Tinzenite
    (Ca,Mn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.44Schorl
    [Na][Fe
    2+
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.45Buergerite
    [Na][Fe
    3+
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][O
     
    3
    		|F|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.46Feruvite
    [Ca][(Fe
    2+
     
    		 ,Mg)
     
    3
    		][MgAl
     
    5
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.47Axinite-(Fe)
    Ca
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.48Homilite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)B
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    17.5.49Grandidierite
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[O
     
    2
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    17.5.50Hyalotekite
    (Ba,Pb,Ca,K)
     
    6
    		(B,Si,Al)
     
    2
    		(Si,Be)
     
    10
    		O
     
    28
    		(F,Cl)
    17.5.51Hellandite-(Y)
    (Ca,Y)
     
    6
    		(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)Si
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		O
     
    20
    		(OH)
     
    4

    Other Names for Datolite

    Synonyms:
    Datholite
    German names:
    Datolit
    Russian names:
    Датолит
    Spanish names:
    Datolita
    Varieties:
    Botryolite

    Other Information

    Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

    References for Datolite

    Reference List:Anderson, C. (1906) Mineralogical Notes: No. III - Axinite, petterdite, crocoite, datolite. Records of the Australian Museum: 6(3), 133-144.

    American Mineralogist (1973): 58: 909-914.

    Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

    Bellatreccia, F., Cámara, F., Della Ventura, G. (2006): Datolite: a new occurrence in volcanic ejecta (Pitigliano, Toscana, Italy) and crystal-structure refinement. Rendiconti dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, Serie 9, 17, 289-298.

    Internet Links for Datolite

    Search Engines:
  • Look for Datolite on Google
  • Look for Datolite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Datolite on Webmineral
  • Look for Datolite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Datolite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Datolite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Datolite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Datolite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Find Datolite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Datolite specimens
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Datolite

    Show Locality List (367 Items)
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mineral Specimens available here.